Robert Nisbet

Political Correspondent

Forcing junior doctors to accept a work contract with which they profoundly disagree carries a huge political risk for the Government.

Despite two days of industrial action and nearly 7,000 medical procedures cancelled, the gap between the NHS and the British Medical Association appears to be unbridgeable.

Image Caption:The public worries that tired junior doctors will damage their health

But the doctors have public support, with polls suggesting between two-thirds and three-quarters of people back their stance to defend the current pay structure which gives a bonus to those working on Saturday.